Together.

"The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." 

I love the verses of the bible about God as an artist- the ultimate creator and maker of heaven and earth.  

When I sit in front of a white blank canvas with my art supplies, I often times sit quietly and stare at the canvas before I even pick up my brush. In my mind I see the different images pass over my support base like a slideshow of film stills. Each image taking me back to a different set and stage of life. Sometimes it feels a little overwhelming- the feelings, the emotions, the rush of creativity that builds up and takes over. I begin to apply a vision. Before I know it, I'm immersed, invested, and my heart, mind and soul are being poured onto that white blank canvas. 

                         Together

 "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh 

Viewing my marriage as art sometimes helps me with the "bigger picture"; seeing Jesus in the details reminds me why. 

Encouraging each other. 

Parenting together. 

Spending time together even if it's just watching our favorite Netflix series after a long day of his office work and my stay at home carnival train. 

Setting aside 5 minutes daily for a lunch break phone call.

Trusting and having faith in my husband as the leader of our home. 

Saying I'm sorry and forgiving each other when one of us is super sensitive and overly emotional (yeah that last part is all on me).

Working together through the small things; because a lasting, fruitful marriage- with all of its good, bad, and ugly is the bigger picture. It's a portrait of Christ and his church. A portrait with eternal value. 

When I see the vision Ryan and I share for our marriage, I see that choosing to invest and being purposeful in the "series of small things" are those very details that paint the story- those seemingly small things are the things that add up to the big picture. 

After all, sometimes you have to focus on the details to understand the masterpiece. 

Back to school and what really matters.

I can't believe school is already back in session!

We have been so blessed to have such amazing, caring teachers each year at Lucy T Davis.
My sweet kiddos were so excited about their first day back!
Look at those sweet faces!

Monday night Jude said he could make his own lunch now that he is a "big boy". Be still my heart.

Jude was a little anxious before they left Monday morning. I think the girls were just ready to see their friends. Either way...

I think this next picture proves everything went exceptionally well. 

When I was writing notes for these "three musketeer's" lunch boxes last night, I told them we are proud of them and I encouraged them to be a friend to someone today. Because...

Years from now, at the end of their school career,  it won't matter what they wore or how trendy they were. What will matter is how they treated others- that they were a picture of Christ for someone.

What will matter years from now is that every "today" for the next several years in our home, Jesus is in the details. 

What will matter is that I make my heart a home for Jesus so that grace and mercy overflow from my mouth when I'm shepherding the hearts of my children. 

In the book, a beautiful offering, Angela Thomas wrote:

"It matters where and how you build your house, because the life that you have built on Jesus is all that will stand. What you have done and created and loved in the name of Jesus is all that will last."

What I invest in and act on in the name of Jesus is a picture for my children. 

Making our home a welcoming place for friends to gather and encourage one another is a picture for my children. 

Making time to read the bible each night to one kiddo and the devotional book to the other two even though I can barely hold my eyes open is a picture for my children- An offering back to the lord for entrusting his children to me as their earthly mother. 

I don't know that I come close to getting motherhood, or life in general right any day of the week, but I do know motherhood is my biggest, most treasured gift in this season of life and life thereafter. Therefore, I will make it my greatest offering. It will be done in the name of Jesus. 

Their eternity depends on it. 

Currently loving..

Tonight I watched Ellie Kate and her friend swim at our country club pool for the last  time before school starts back. This summer is almost officially over! How is this even possible?!

Last night was orientation at school for the kids and they start a brand new year THIS Monday! Can we please rewind?

I'm not sure I'm ready to take on 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade homework along with extracurricular activities. 

Instead of focusing on the umpteen million things I need to do, or looking ahead at the overwhelming schedule for this school year, I'm going to talk about my favorite beauty products! 

Mia 2

Radiance brush

fresh soy face cleanser

Shiseido White Lucent Emulsion

Trail Tin//

I took a hiatus from my Clarisonic Mia 2 for a while but started back since my skin is looking pretty rough from the summer sun exposure. I ended up getting the Radiance brush that is for skin brightening and I absolutely love it. 

I use it with fresh soy face cleanser.

My face feels so soft and hydrated after cleansing. I have the dryest, most sensitive skin ever. This cleanser leaves my face feeling squeaky clean, but never tight. It's also the only one I've tried (outside of pure oils) that doesn't leave a red splotchy rash on my face. I highly recommend this if you have sensitive skin. 

I'm also trying Shiseido white lucent brightening emulsion in the morning. It's perfect for hydrating but not leaving a greasy feel after. Plus, it has SPF in it!

  

I'm also in love with the Shiseido Benefiance wrinkle resist eye cream 

And the night cream. 

I immediately noticed a difference in my skin with these two products. They also smell so fresh and pretty. My 9 year old daughter informed me that Grammy (my age-defying Mother-in-law) has less wrinkles than I do, so I obviously went to her to find out what she uses. She told me about the eye cream and I have been hooked since. 

This one is actually for guys..

I love this product because it's great but I love what it's stands for even more. 

From the website-

 "The Mail Room Barber Co. was formed by Robert Watkins, a Master Barber in Florence, South Carolina, to create a platform to raise awareness for the fight against human trafficking and give support to a community of people who are dedicated to living life intentionally, making every effort to end social injustices around the world."

Rob is responsible for Jude's stylish undercut. He is super talented! 

I use the trail tin for Jude's hair daily. He loves it because it makes him smell like a "grown up".  I'm not going to lie..I love it for taming my crazy hair and ahem, may or may not use it daily too. We also love it because it's vegan/oil based/petroleum free. 

Check out the website for more products in the link above. 

*All sources are linked above. 

Now we are six!

My youngest is 6 today. Happy 6th birthday monkey Jude. He might be growing faster than the speed of light, but I see him- the way his hair does that swirly thing at the top, the specks of brown in his hazel blue eyes, the way he wiggles his left fingers when he is trying to concentrate on using his right hand, the way his eyebrows raise when he's accomplished something new or how his nose crinkles when he thinks something is silly. I hear his heart when he is asking about the stories during bible time and how he is always so hungry for more. 

He asked me to read him this poem by A.A. Milne over and over last night and today. 

When I was one,

I had just begun.

When I was two,

I was nearly new.

When I was three,

I was hardly me.

When I was four,

I was not much more.

When I was five,

I was just alive.

But now I am six,

I'm as clever as clever.

So I think I'll be six

now and forever.

I know he can't be six forever, but sometimes I don't know if my Mama-heart can't take him growing up this quickly. I'm just soaking it all in and holding on to every piece of these days that are somehow turning into years.💙